Warnapura, Sangakkara take Sri Lanka to 120/2 (Lunch Report)

Karachi, Feb 21 (IANS) Half-centuries from Kumar Sangakkara and Malinda Warnapure took Sri Lanka to 120 for two in the first innings at lunch on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan at the National Stadium here Saturday.

The tourists, who chose to make first use of a perfect batting pitch, lost their debutant opener Tharanga Paranavitana in the first over to pacer Umar Gul but a solid 90-run partnership for the second wicket between Warnapura and Sangakkara gave them a perfect platform for a big total.

Paranavitana, 26, fell for a golden duck, edging an angling delivery to Misbah-ul-Haq at second slip. But Pakistan were unable to capitalise on a good start as Warnapura and Sangakkara scored fluently against Gul and debutant pacer Sohail Khan.

Warnapura, who put up his 50 off just 39 balls with the help of seven fours, fell to medium-pacer Yasir Arafat in the 18th over, when he edged one to Misbah-ul-Haq in the second slip. His 59 came off 48 balls with nine hits to the fence.

Sangakkara, who has scored three tons and two fifties against Pakistan in five Tests, continued his good form after being joined by outgoing captain Mahela Jayawardene. He completed his fifty off 84 balls after a 113-minute stay on the crease, just minutes before lunch. Jayawardene, who took his time to open his account, was unbeaten on five. Arafat was the most impressive bowler with 1-24 while Gul bowled one spell, taking 1-33 in six overs.